WinterFest is Dec. 3

Mark Gordon of Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of
Energy's Ames Laboratory is part of a U.S. Air Force research collaboration
looking for new and better rocket fuels. The researchers have turned their
attention to ionic liquids -- salts that can melt down to liquids at room
temperature -- as a potential fuel.

ISU community planning students help Perry integrate immigrants into revitalization

Some community planning students In Gerardo Sandoval's class spent the semester working with the people of Perry to enhance the city's downtown revitalization plan. City leaders asked the students to find ways to integrate the immigrant community into the planning process and the final plan. Students will present their recommendations, "Iowa's Re-emerging Hometown: Planning for a Multicultural Perry," at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Center for Town/Craft, 1122 Willis Ave. in Perry.

Wind Energy Symposium Dec. 9

The first ISU Wind Energy Symposium, on campus Dec. 9, will feature
energy, industry and university experts. Researchers, policy makers,
industrial leaders, anyone with an interest in energy is invited to
attend. Register online.

ISU's Mayberry wins Rachael Ray competition

ISU junior Madison Mayberry has won Rachael Ray's "Hey, Can You Cook?!" TV competition. The 21-year-old Orange City native's final challenge included rolling pie crust, preparing butternut squash, and dressing a turkey in a "Thanksgiving Throwdown." Then, Mayberry had to create an original meal from Thanksgiving leftovers in just 25 minutes. Among other prizes, Mayberry has won a trip to Paris, four days of classes at the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts school, and a kitchen full of new appliances -- and she doesn't even have a kitchen. Mayberry will make a future appearance on the Rachael Ray Show to do her own cooking segment.

Geoffroy: ISU developing plans to handle possible reversion

In a Nov. 20 letter to Iowa State faculty and staff, ISU President
Gregory Geoffroy said officials are developing plans to handle a possible budget
reversion, should one by required by the downturn in state
revenues. Geoffroy added that "Iowa's economy is in relatively better shape than many other
states, where much larger budget cuts already have been enacted."

Mathematics On the Road Experience 2009 tour set to improve college
math preparation

Faculty from the ISU mathematics department have created
Mathematics On the Road Experience (MORE) 2009 -- an informational program
they plan to take to 10 Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEA) next year to help
prepare Iowa students better for the rigors of university level
math.

Political journalist and author Ron Suskind to speak at Iowa State Dec. 4

Ron Suskind, a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and best-selling author of books about politics and international affairs, will speak on Thursday, Dec. 4. "Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism," will be at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. It is free and open to the public. His most recent book examines the consequences of America's failing moral leadership in an age of terrorism and nuclear weapons.

Nanocoatings boost industrial energy efficiency

Scientist Bruce Cook at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames
Laboratory is leading a research effort to develop ultrahard,
low-friction coatings for hydraulic pumps and cutting tools that can
dramatically reduce the equipments' energy consumption.

Iowa State experts project a rough holiday retail season

Both Meghan O'Brien, an economist with ISU's Regional Capacity
Analysis Program; and Joydeep Bhattacharya, an associate professor of
economics, project a decline in retail sales this holiday season, with
smaller businesses feeling more of the economic pain.

Cy's in the semifinals

Iowa State researchers to develop national energy/transportation
model and plan

James McCalley, an Iowa State University professor in
electrical and computer engineering, is leading a research team that's
developing new and better infrastructure designs for the country's energy
and transportation systems. The research team will consider all of America's
energy options, including biofuels, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal, nuclear,
coal, hydrogen, solar, biomass, natural gas and petroleum, together with new
and old freight and passenger transportation technologies.

ISU professor hits his stride as an artist for new children's book and murals

Chuck Richards is reaping the success of his newfound passion as a children's book author and illustrator. The art and design associate professor's book, "Critter Sitter," was published recently, just as he delivered to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital the last of four commissioned paintings based on an earlier book.

In the news

Beating Washers Into Wind Turbines In Iowa

National Public Radio

Iowa has taken the lead in the emerging field of wind energy. Some of
the same workers who use to make appliances are now busy building wind turbines.
Iowa State economist David Swenson provides perspective.

Black Friday a 'non-event'?

Dubuque Telegraph-Herald

The Friday-after-Thanksgiving race for shoppers may be less about the deals and more about the traditional dash, says Meghan O'Brien, an economist with ISU's Regional Capacity Analysis Program. "The expectation is built in for retailers that this is going to be a rough holiday season. Even the more optimistic estimations are still abysmal," O'Brien said.